It was getting late; Dov had begged off, saying that he had the early shift the next day, and Gail and Chris (the one Shay hadn't really been introduced to, yet) had disappeared sometime after that. It was just Traci, Andy and Shay in their corner booth, and they had gotten on the topic of Shay's first day.
"So what was it like? Swarek can be hard to work with, sometimes." Traci began, leaning across the table conspiratorially.
Shay shrugged. He hadn't seemed that bad. "It was good. Didn't talk much, but he seemed to respect my opinion. He let me drive." Even though he seemed to regret it after. She didn't mention that aloud, though.
"He let you drive?" Andy exclaimed, causing a few heads to turn. "He must like you." She said more quietly, and Shay sensed a slight jealousy underneath her surprise and disbelief.
"Oh no, we know who he likes, and, no offense, but it's not you, Shaylene." Shay shrugged. None taken… Traci shot a glance over at Andy and raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Shay sat upright, her eyes growing larger. "What was that? Come on, tell!"
Andy blushed red and looked over her shoulder, trying to ignore her two colleagues that were staring at her intently, vibrating with anticipation. "It's nothing. Not a thing." She shot a glance of her own at Traci, but this one was admittedly dirtier.
"Oh." Shay said, leaning back. "Alright. Sorry." She had never really had many friends, growing up, so this secrets thing was all new to her. She didn't know the boundaries between willing-to-share and you're-still-the-new-girl yet.
Traci grinned. "Andy almost slept with him, and they've been dancing around each other ever since."
"What?" Again, heads turned, some annoyed, some amused. Shay failed to notice that Sam Swarek was one of them. "Seriously?"
Andy didn't look at her for a minute, but down her drink, her hands, anywhere but at Shay's questioning eyes. "It was nothing. I'm telling you. We're just friends." She stood, flipping open her cell phone, and then looking back at them. "I'm going to call it a night. See you guys tomorrow." She left before they could respond, obviously embarrassed.
"Or barely friends." Traci muttered. "Listen, I'm going to go to; Leo'll be missing me. Tell Jerry I said goodnight." She smiled her toothy, charming smile, and then followed Andy out the door, calling her friend's name.
Shay didn't bother to move, but finished her drink, alone in the corner. She didn't really mind that they had left; it wasn't their fault. And, over all, it's been a good day. She thought, closing her eyes for a minute, allowing herself to be calm, for a minute.
Sam was at the bar, finishing off his third drink, when he saw Andy leave, her face slightly red. His eyes followed her as she met up with Callaghan, and then as the two proceeded out the back door. With a sigh, he ordered another glass.
They were living together now, he had heard. Well, Andy had told him, but he had heard via the grapevine (aka Oliver Shaw) before she had gotten around to telling him. It seemed like so long since they had gone undercover together, since she had saved his life, but in reality it had only been a few weeks.
He could see Jerry talking to Noelle and Best, but Sam didn't really feel up to the playful banter that would ensue if he joined them. He kept his eyes on the door, like he was waiting for someone, and saw Nash leave, calling Andy's name. That meant that Walker was all alone…
He turned around and saw her sitting, almost invisible, in the dark corner of a booth, her clothing blending into the shadows, and her eyes closed, nursing a beer. She really did look like Jerry, now that he had a solid chance to study her.
Her hair was of medium length and curly, like Jerry's had been before his wife (now ex-wife) had insisted he cut it. Her eyes, which were still closed, were dark and deep set, he knew, full of steely determination and resolution.
Suddenly, her eyes opened, and she caught him watching her. She didn't blush, like Andy would have done, or come over, like Peck. She tipped her head back and downed the beer, then tossed a tip on the table as she stood, completely indifferent to his gaze which still followed her. Making her way across the floor she tapped her cousin on the shoulder, received a one-armed hug, she left out the front door. Curious, Sam did the logical thing.
He followed her.
Out the door, down the block, to the… Bus station? Sam wondered. Right- no car. He jogged to catch up with her, his feet unsteady for some reason, just as the bus pulled up. "Walker!" He puffed.
She turned, a frown on her face until she saw who it was. "Officer Swarek. Was there something you needed?"
For some reason his brain froze. It was quick and painless, but all of a sudden, all he could think was, Haha….my mouth is glued shut. He shook his head, and she turned to climb on the bus. "Wait!" He called. She turned back. "Uh…"
"Are you taking the 37?" What? The 37? She must have noticed his confusion. "The bus."
"Oh." Why had he run after her? Maybe he had a little too much to drink. "No."
The bus driver was getting impatient. "You getting on or not, lady?" He flapped the doors a little for emphasis.
"Hold your horses." She told him, with a glare. "I've got to go, Swarek. I'll see you tomorrow, okay then?" She gave him a small smile, and then before he knew it, she was gone, on the bus and down the street, and he was standing alone on the sidewalk, staring off into space like an idiot.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard someone calling his name, but he was too busy in his thoughts. Why had he run after her? What was wrong with him? What had he been drinking? It was damn strong, whatever it was. He came to with a hand on his shoulder.
"What the hell, Sammy? I go to leave and I can't find you, and barkeep says that you just went running out the door without paying." Jerry caught the look on his friends face. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Sam's mind snapped back into place. "Yeah, I'm fine." His tongue felt thick and heavy, like he had eaten peanut butter and got it coated all over his mouth.
Jerry gave him a weird look, a mixture of concern and confusion. "What are you doing out here? I got the bill, but…"
Sam shook off Jerry's hand, and began to walk back to the 'Penny'. "I just was seeing your cousin to the bus station." He lied, slightly. He had seen her, and at the bus station, but it wasn't like he had walked her there. More like stalked. His conscience told him. Creep.
"Oh," Jerry was even more surprised, Sam could tell. "Thanks, then."
"No problem." Sam grimaced in the dark. "Listen, how much was the bill? I can't believe I forgot to pay." He dug out his wallet as they reached Jerry's car and held out a couple of bills, but Jerry wouldn't take them.
"I owe you anyway, buddy." He said. "Come on. You're drunk, I'm tired, and we both have to work tomorrow."
"Yeah," Sam agreed absently, still trying to figure out how much drink he would have had to consume in order to chase a woman he barely knew down a dark street, without paying for said drinks. "Thanks."
Shay clambered down the lasts step of the bus, trying to dig her keys out of her pocket. She let herself into her building and then jogged up the stairs, all four flights. The top floor was kind of dingy and kind of creepy, but Shay was used to it. She jiggled the door and then kicked it, the magic trick for getting it open.
The apartment was dark; with Randy away and Cara out, there was no one to greet her. With a sigh she went to get the sheets from the closet to make her bed. Life was normal, every move expected and met.
Just the way Shay liked it.
